The Jewish Synagogue in Bridgetown, Barbados, was originally built in 1654, making it one of the oldest buildings in the western hemisphere.
It has a museum attached that offers fascinating history of the Jews in Barbados, who were blocked from developing large plantations. The resourceful Jews found other ways of earning their livings on the island, eventually becoming key players in the island's history and economic development.
The Synagogue was fully restored in 2011 and, during this process, a Mikvah (purifying bath) was discovered below ground; please don't miss it.
The Mikvah is now open and the synagogue active. The Mikvah and the museum are must-do's for anyone interested in Barbados history.
I took a photo showing how some exhibits are underfoot ... such a clever way to display artifacts.
When I first started visiting Barbados, I couldn't get over the beauty. I'm widely traveled but - except for Bali - I've never seen beauty that rivals Barbados' beauty. The sea really is aqua; the sand really is white (with a touch of pink). The palms really do bend seductively across the sunset over the horizon.
Of course, living on a paradise island is different from visiting one. And I've lived on the paradise island of Barbados now for 4 years this month.
I'm a Yank and like most of Yanks I like immediate gratification, lots of choice, and cheap prices. I get none of these things in Barbados. Serivce is often slow, the amount of goods is limited, and, when I gasp at the prices, I have to remind myself that every single thing I see here except for coconuts and rum came on a ship.
Just now I got off the phone with LIME, who provides (or doesn't) phone service. For a new apartment on the island that I manage, I was "approved," as they call it, for service two months ago -- but still don't have. This morning a woman from LIME called and asked how I liked my service and could she sell me some gizmo.
In a controlled growl I said I didn't yet HAVE service to comment upon. When I could tell she wasn't going to do anything to help, I asked to speak with customer service. She, of course, wasn't "able" to put me through to customer service. This sort of thing drives me to distraction.
Still and just the same, at any time of day - and partciularly after a frustrating exchange as the one with LIME - I can look outside at the sparkling aqua Caribbean Sea 30 steps from my back door. If I just stop a moment and take the time to breathe in the sea air, I will relax. I will get over the slowness and inefficiency and my own uptight reaction to it.
Frustrations lurk around every corner no matter where we live. Last week I was in Virginia getting a new driver's license. Lordy, that was Frustration City. But I didn't have blue beauty streaming into my windows there. There was no warmth awaiting when I stepped outside the DMV. There was no beach to sink my toes into.
Each and every time I travel away from Barbados, I step off the plane at BGI and just want to kiss the earth. I love this place. Love the history, the landscape, the virbrancy of the colors, and the sound of the sea. I love the people. I love my work helping visitors from the world over find accommodations. I love my Bajan husband.
I love my life in Barbados more than I've enjoyed life anywhere. This is my home now. Damn the frustrations; if tardy phone service is the price I pay for getting to live here, so be it. I'll use a tin can and string if I have to.
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